TSG International AG

What TSG International AG does

TSG International AG is a Zürich-based, privately held Swiss corporation (legal entity TSG International AG; DBA "TSG – Technical Safety Gear") founded in 1988 that designs and distributes protective equipment for action sports. Its product portfolio spans helmets, body protection (knee/elbow pads, back protectors), eyewear (goggles and sunglasses), gloves, and apparel across skate, bike (MTB/BMX), snow, wake, and youth segments. Core technology is built around multi-standard safety certification (EN 1078, ASTM F1952, CPSC, UKCA, EN 1621-1/2), integration of Mips rotational impact protection, and a proprietary RE ZRO biodegradable single-polymer TPE pad platform, plus hardshell (ABS/PP over EPS) and full-wrap in-mold helmet constructions.

The company's business model is a hybrid direct-to-consumer and wholesale operation. Consumer revenue flows through the ridetsg.com e-commerce storefront (pricing €9.95–€299.95) supported by an Instagram presence (@ridetsg) and email newsletter (10% first-order incentive); trade revenue flows through an unnamed global distributor network, a password-protected B2B portal for seasonal pre-orders, and a dealer locator for retail buyers. End customers are individual athletes and parents in skate, MTB/BMX, snowboard, freeski, wake, and youth segments, with professional athlete ambassadors (Sam Pilgrim, Max Fredriksson, Anna Pixner) used for product co-design and brand credibility.

The operation is unusually lean for its global footprint, with 9 listed employees, implying outsourced manufacturing, logistics, and likely much of design execution. Leadership consists of Managing Director Nadja Herger and Board Member Daniel Wattenhofer; no parent company, institutional investors, or external funding are disclosed. Revenue is not publicly reported, and distribution is documented as global though pricing and shipping terms are EU/Switzerland-centric.

Name

TSG International AG

Legal name

TSG International AG

Website

https://ridetsg.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TSG International AG is a Swiss-founded (1988) protective gear company designing and distributing certified helmets, body protection, eyewear, gloves, and apparel for skate, bike, snow, wake, and youth action-sports consumers via a hybrid D2C e-commerce and global distributor model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Action Sports Protective Gear

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

Protective Armor & Impact Protection Retail (Body/Back/Chest) (CRAMANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ski & Snowboard Protective Gear Retail (Helmets, Goggles, Pads, Back Protectors) (CRAMAJAC), Safety Accessories & Wearables Retail (Neck Braces, Hydration, Earplugs) (CRAMANAL), Riding Gloves & Hand Protection Retail (CRAMANAE), Helmets & Protective Headgear Retail (Motorcycle/ATV/Snow) (CRAMANAB)

Keywords

• Action sports helmets
• Protective gear
• Skateboard pads
• Mountain bike protection
• Snow sports helmets

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Consumer direct purchases through ridetsg.com online store. Products include helmets, protection gear, eyewear, gloves, and apparel. Prices range from approximately €9.95 for accessories to €299.95 for premium helmets.
2. B2B Wholesale/Distribution: Wholesale distribution through TSG distributor network and B2B portal for retailers to preview seasonal collections and place pre-orders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TSG International AG designs and manufactures protective gear for action sports, including helmets, body protection (knee/elbow pads, back protectors, chest guards, crash pants), eyewear (goggles and sunglasses), gloves, and apparel, sold under the TSG brand. Products are designed in Switzerland, certified to multiple international safety standards, and sold direct-to-consumer via the ridetsg.com e-commerce site and through a global network of distributors and retail dealers.

Product overview

TSG International AG is a Swiss-based manufacturer of protective gear for action sports, offering a comprehensive portfolio of helmets, body protection, eyewear, gloves, and apparel. The product line spans five main categories: Helmets (including skate, bike, wake, snow, and kids variants), Protection (knee pads, elbow guards, back protectors, and body armor), Eyewear (sunglasses and goggles), Gloves, and Apparel. Key product lines include the Pass 2.0 and Sentinel for downhill riding, Prevention MIPS and Vertice MIPS featuring MIPS rotational protection technology, and the innovative Fly R series incorporating RE ZRO pad technology for lightweight impact absorption. The company also offers athlete-collaboration sub-brands including SP Line by Sam Pilgrim and MF Line by Max Fredriksson, plus the TSG x Jimbo Phillips Artist Series for graphic helmet designs. Products are designed in Switzerland and certified to multiple international safety standards including EN 1078, ASTM F1952, CPSC, and EN 1621 for protective gear.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SP Line by Sam Pilgrim: Apparel line designed by team rider Sam Pilgrim
• MF Line by Max Fredriksson

Products and services

• Pass 2.0 Helmet Full-face helmet built for downhill skateboarding, featuring an ABS hardshell bonded to an EPS liner, upgraded ventilation with fog-clearing air ducts, and a distortion-free bonus visor. Certified to EN 1078 and ASTM F1952.
• Sentinel Helmet Full-face helmet built for downhill mountain biking and jump sessions, with a tough ABS outer shell, reinforced PC-laminated EPS foam face guard, 12 vents for airflow, and a wide goggle-compatible eyeport.
• Prevention MIPS Helmet Mountain bike enduro helmet with MIPS rotational-impact protection, in-mold construction, tool-free removable ear panels, and a Dial Fit System for adjustable comfort and safety.
• Vertice MIPS Helmet Snow-sports helmet equipped with MIPS rotational-impact protection, featherlight in-mold construction, a Dial Fit System, and Tune Fit padding.
• Skate, Bike, Wake, Snow, and Kids Helmet Range Comprehensive helmet line covering skate, urban, mountain bike, snow, wake, and kids segments, including hardshell and in-mold constructions, low-fit designs, and youth-scaled variants.
• Fly R Knee & Elbow Sleeves Lightweight pull-on knee and elbow protection sleeves that use TSG's RE ZRO pad technology to absorb impact energy and return to original form, with softshell materials, flexible spandex, anti-slip silicone grip, and laser-cut ventilation. CE-certified to EN 1621-1 Level 1.
• Fly R Back Protector Vest Back protector vest for mountain biking, BMX, snowboarding, and freeski, featuring an RE ZRO impact pad, spandex fabric, breathable mesh zones, secure waistband, and full-length front zip for stay-put fit. CE-certified to EN 1621-2 Level 1.
• Knee, Elbow, Back, Chest, and Crash Pants Protection Line Comprehensive body-protection line including hardshell and sleeve-style knee pads, elbow guards, back protectors, chest guards, and crash pants for skate, bike, snow, roller derby, and youth riders.
• Eyewear (Goggles and Sunglasses) Sport and lifestyle eyewear including mountain bike goggles (Presto 3.0), snow goggles (Four S, Two, Expect Mini 2.0), and sunglasses (Cruise, Loam) for action-sports and everyday riding.
• Riding Gloves Range of biking gloves spanning entry-level, mid-range, downhill-specific, and kids' fits for mountain bikers and BMX riders.
• TSG Apparel (Street, Bike, Women Bike, Snow, Accessories) Apparel and accessories for skate, bike, women's bike, and snow riding, including street and technical riding wear and lifestyle accessories.
• SP Line by Sam Pilgrim Sub-brand apparel line designed in collaboration with team rider Sam Pilgrim, including the SP8 jersey and shorts.
• MF Line by Max Fredriksson Sub-brand apparel line designed in collaboration with team rider Max Fredriksson.
• TSG x Jimbo Phillips Artist Series Limited artist-collaboration series with Jimbo Phillips featuring bold skate-inspired graphics on the Evolution helmet and a matching Skatecreep raglan tee.
• Starter Protection Bundles (Basic Set, Plain Set, Junior Bikeset, Junior Set) Bundled starter protection sets (Basic Set, Plain Set, Junior Bikeset, Junior Set) for beginners and young riders, packaging helmets and pads together for entry into action sports.

Quantifiable outcome

• RE ZRO material achieves 14.14% biodegradation in 90 days per ASTM D5511-18 & ISO 15985:2014 testing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Mips ABcoreTechnology or IntegrationTSG integrates Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) technology into select helmets including the Prevention MIPS, Vertice MIPS, and other models. Mips provides low-friction layer that allows head rotation relative to helmet during angled impacts, reducing rotational forces on the brain.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Dainese: Italian motorsport and action-sports protection company offering helmets, body armor, and apparel with deep R&D heritage. Dainese is a larger, broader incumbent whose protection portfolio (especially for motorcycle and mountain use) overlaps with TSG's premium positioning.
• Specialized: Major US cycling brand selling bikes, helmets, body protection, and apparel globally. Specialized competes with TSG in the MTB helmet and protection category as part of a much broader cycling portfolio, representing the bike-OEM-incumbent peer.
• Bell Helmets: Established US helmet manufacturer with a wide range of cycling, motorsport, and snow helmets plus protection gear. Bell is a broader incumbent that overlaps with TSG in bike helmets and snow helmets but operates at materially larger scale with broader category coverage.

Direct peers

• Giro: US-based helmet and protection brand serving cycling, snow, and action sports with a broad portfolio of MIPS-equipped helmets and body protection. Directly competes with TSG in MTB and snow helmet categories and shares the same key technology partner (Mips).
• Leatt: South African-founded protection brand best known for neck braces and expanding into MTB helmets, body protection, and apparel. Leatt is a comparable specialty-protection peer with shared focus on safety certifications (EN, ASTM) and overlapping end-markets.
• 100%: US-based motocross and mountain bike brand specializing in goggles, gloves, helmets, and protection. 100% is a comparable specialty peer with overlapping MTB and BMX protection, goggles, and gloves categories where TSG also competes.
• Bern Helmets: US action-sports helmet brand offering skate, bike, snow, and water helmets with a strong design and lifestyle focus. Bern is a comparable specialty helmet peer with overlapping categories and a similar premium-mid positioning to TSG.
• POC: Swedish premium action-sports protection brand offering helmets, body protection, and eyewear across MTB, snow, and road cycling with strong safety-technology positioning. POC is the most direct peer to TSG given overlapping product categories, premium pricing, and shared reliance on Mips and other advanced safety systems.
• Fox Racing: US-based MTB and motocross apparel, helmet, and protection brand with deep athlete endorsement networks. Fox competes with TSG across mountain bike helmets, protection, and apparel, and represents a larger, well-capitalized competitor in shared channels.

Emerging players

• Ruroc: UK-based helmet brand that has expanded from ski/snowboard into biking and broader action sports with distinctive design-led positioning. Ruroc competes with TSG in snow and bike helmets and shares the DTC-first, design-forward playbook.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ridetsg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ridetsg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TSG International AG